At what age should my child first visit the dentist?
What will happen during my child's first visit?
What do I tell my child about seeing the dentist?
Do I stay with my child during the visit?
Children's behavior in the dental office.
How often should regular visits be scheduled?
New
Patient Form
At what
age should my child first visit the dentist?
A “baby wellness visit” is recommended by the
American
What will happen during my child's first
visit?
We refer to the first appointment as what we call a
“New Patient Experience.” It begins when our new patient coordinator
greets you and your child in the reception area and escorts you to a
special room where we can get to know you both. After reviewing your
needs and questions, she will bring the doctor into the room to meet
you. The Doctor will perform a complete dental exam which includes
checking for cavities and gum disease, checking the bite for correct
alignment of the jaws, checking the development of the teeth, and x-rays
will be taken based on the needs of your child. After the doctor and
you are done talking, the specially trained coordinator will take your
family on a tour of the office. You will see all the fun features
including the movies on the ceiling that play during your child’s visit,
the special chairs that take your child for a “ride” so that they are
comfortable for their visit, and Dr. George’s cool x-ray machine that
takes pictures of their teeth. Our main goal is to make sure that your
child is comfortable with the setting and staff before any work is done.
The appointment also includes a final consultation to discuss any
further questions or necessary dental treatment. Every appointment ends
with a special photo of your child with the doctor and a trip to the toy
box for a job well done!
At the end of the New Patient Exam we schedule your
child’s first cleaning. Before any procedures are started, we show and
tell your child what we are going to do. We encourage their active
participation in the visit by asking questions about their school or
daycare, hobbies, friends or anything special they would like to share
with us. Parents are encouraged to join their child during their
visits. Mom and Dad are usually amazed how wonderful their children
listen and behave during their dental visit. Occasionally, a child may
cry during some part of the visit. This is normal behavior for a child
going through a new, unfamiliar experience. Our compassionate staff is
there to help then through to a smiling finish.
What do I tell my child about seeing the dentist?
Give your child the opportunity to hear of pleasant
dental experiences, only. It is best to tell a child about a dental
visit the night before the appointment. Of course, always refer to the
Doctor as "Our Friend, Dr. George".
Please convey the feeling that dental visits are a
part of growing up. Don’t offer rewards or indicate in any way that
there is something to fear. Should you try to bolster a child’s courage
prior to the dental visit, it may have the opposite effect and frighten
them. We offer a safe haven for your child; a professional dental
office with an informal atmosphere for the comfort of all children.
Don't let the child know you feel any anxiety about going to the dentist
and don't use a dental visit as a punishment or threat. A visit to the
dentist should be a delightful adventure for a young child.
If your child should ask searching questions, explain that the Doctor is
only going to look at their teeth, and will always explain everything
that is going to be done before it happens. In discussing dentistry,
please do not use the words: "needle", "shot", "drill", "pull", "hurt",
or any other words that might have an unpleasant meaning.
Do I stay with my
child during the visit?
Yes, you may
accompany your child through any and all types of visits (with the
exception of a hospital, general anesthesia setting). Dr. George’s
philosophy may be different from other general and pediatric dentists.
He encourages the family to be with the patient at all times.
We also have a waiting room for parents whose child prefers to be a “big kid” and see the dentist on their own. We leave it up to the family to decide.
In some situations, a child may benefit from separation during the visit. Dr. George may suggest using the parent as a “reward” for good behavior. So the child will come back alone and the parent will be invited to come back after a few minutes. If that is the case, we ask that you allow our staff to accompany your child through the dental experience.
Children's behavior in
the dental office:
Pleasant visits to the dental office help a child
establish trust and confidence that will last a lifetime. Pediatric
dentists and their staff have been specially trained to help young,
apprehensive children feel good about seeing the dentist and taking care
of their teeth. Friendly, compassionate professionals and bright,
cheerful office surroundings are all there to help your child feel
comfortable and at ease with visiting the dentist. We recommend
scheduling younger children in the morning, when they are more rested
and cooperative.
How often should
regular visits be scheduled?
Ordinarily, periodic recall appointments, which
include an examination, preventive dental education, cleaning and
fluoride treatments will be recommended twice a year and are usually
scheduled every six months. The frequency of dental visits will partly
depend on your child's eating habits; how clean his or her teeth are
kept; and if he/she has a history of dental decay.
We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one!
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